What is a Program Manager?
The Program Manager (PM) role defines DARPA. The organization is built around supporting their pioneering work. Freed from constraints, these innovators sail past convention and head into uncharted territory as they seek to change the trajectory of technology. Have some wild ideas? Maybe a few that push the boundaries of scientific feasibility, that keep you up at night, that you workshop anyway. We seek bold thinkers with the resilience to forge fearlessly into spaces unknown. We work in realms where failure is probable, and success is revolutionary.
If chosen, you will receive an appointment for a two-year term, with the possibility of an extension to four years. Every day that passes (and trust us, you will be counting) means one less day to make your mark. Fueled by a sense of service and relentless intellectual drive, DARPA PMs enjoy unparalleled freedom. PMs conceive and develop seemingly impossible ideas to benefit national security. You may also cause foundational societal shifts along the way.
DARPA PMs oversee portfolios of ambitious and rigorous research and development (R&D) programs, guiding collaborations between world-class researchers and engineers from academia, government, and industry. By proactively building stakeholder engagement from the military services, DARPA PMs construct valuable feedback loops between the agency and the warfighters we serve. They establish and manage against aggressive program goals, including detailed technical milestones to measure progress. DARPA PMs have an audacious responsibility, so we provide them with outstanding support every step of the way.
Key qualifications
There is no one specific profile for a successful PM. Typically, our ideal candidates have been brilliant, done incredible work, and produced game-changing ideas. To thrive at DARPA, you need to move confidently forward with risks that cause most people to stop. You must operate with urgency and an inherent desire to leave a lasting mark during your fixed tenure.
As an agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, we require U.S. citizenship and the ability to secure and maintain an active security clearance. This position is based at our headquarters in Arlington, Va.
Application process
To apply for a PM role, candidates should prepare the following:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Preliminary proposal for a new program concept that does not contain any classified information and follows The Heilmeier Catechism
If your qualifications and proposal meet our needs, we will be in contact.
What’s in it for you?
At DARPA, we offer PMs the opportunity to:
- Turn an impossibility into a reality
- Secure a spot in history
- Serve the nation
If selected, PMs receive competitive compensation and benefits (and relocation support as required) to work in our LEED-certified office in Arlington, Va. PMs immerse themselves in the DARPA culture and team, collaborating with luminaries across broad technical disciplines. Bragging rights and entry into an exclusive alumni group to follow.